Wire-stretcher



Y(No Modem TfsHARPB.

h WIRE STRBTGHER. No. 591,263. Patented ont. 5,1897.

\/\r\/\f`| 31E-ll- WHA/5555 P VEN TOR Nrrnn STATES THOMAS F. SHARPE, OF VVOLFE CITY, TEXAS.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,263, dated October 5, 1897.

` Application filed February 20, 1897. Serial No. 624,328. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS F.` SHARPE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wolfe City, in the county of Hunt and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appert-ains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in wire-fence tighteners, the objectbeing to provide a device of this character which will be portable and when applied for use will effectively stretch or pull the Vhorizontal Wires of a fence, the particular construction permitting the apparatus to be applied on either side of the post. The construction also embodies a particular clamping device for holding the wire after it has been drawn upon, consisting in providing a clamp with a double member or cam pivoted between two stationary members, so that the said pivoted member or cam can be thrownv toward either stationary member.

With the above ends in view the invention consists in the particular construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is an elevation of the wire-fence ti ghtener constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 3 is an end view, and Fig. 4. is atransverse sectional view on the line 0c of Fig. l.

In the drawings, the numeral l designates the supporting-bar of my improved wire-fence tightener,which has secured thereto or formed thereon the stationary clamping device, consisting of the cross-bar 2, having projecting members 3, adapted to bear against one side of the fence-post.

From the ends of the cross-bar extend curved projections 4, which form the rigid members of the stationary clamp. Between these members is pivoted a block `5, having cam-shaped ends which are adapted to be brought into engagement with the rigid members of the clamp.- The cam 5 is reduced on each side centrally and pivoted upon a boss to form the cams, and the surfaces of the cams are roughened to obtain a better grip or hold upon the wire.

The cams are so disposed with respect to the rigid members of the clamp that the cam ends may be brought into en, ragementl with its rigid member, and the other cam provides a convenient projection or lever by which the same can be operated. It will also be understood that the cam is placed with respect to the rigid members so that when the wire is placed between the same the tension upon the wire will act to draw the cam in engagement therewithand effectually clamp it in engagementwith the device.

Torone side of thecross-bar 2 the supporting-bar l of the device is provided at its outer edge with laterally-projecting flanges 7 and 8, which. provide a guide for mounting a block 9i11 sliding engagement with the said bar. This sliding block is provided with a device for clamping the wire similar to that mounted upon the cross-bar 2, the rigid members of the sliding bar being designated by the numerals 10 and the swinging cam by the numeral lll. The block 9 is provided with lugs having inwardly-projecting portions, which embrace the iianges 7 and 8 and thereby hold the said block in sliding engagement with the bar l. At the end of the bar adjoining this block is alever l2, connected by a rod 13 to the block, said lever being fulcrumed upon the transverse pin, to which a hook 14 is pivoted. This hook is of sufficient length., so that the pointed end thereof can be driven into the post which is engaged by the members 3 of the device, the opposite end of the barl having ashort hook 15,which is also driven into the post. By means of the hooks Maud 15, in connection with the projecting members 3, the device is securely held in engagement with the post.

In stretching or tightening fence-wire with my improved device the bar l is securely attached to the post, as hereinbefore described. The wire is then passed through the stationary clamp and the end brought into engagement with the clamp on the sliding block, the latter being slid to the position adjoining the said stationary clamp. Now by pulling upon the operating end of the lever l2 block 9 is 6 of the cross-bar 2, the ends being enlarged Y,

drawn backward, pulling the wire with it, and when said block reaches the limit of its rearward movement the cam of theI stationary clamp is thrown into engagement with the wire and holds the slack, after which the movable block can be brought forward to again engage the wire and take another pull upon the same.

It will be understood that the flange 7 on the bar 1 is cut away at its end, so as not to interfere with the movement of the lever 12.

The device herein shown and described provides a very effective implement for either tightening wire fences or in building the same. This construction contemplates presenting a device which will possess the greatest strength and at the same time be readily carried from place to place.

It will also be seen that the wire may be nailed to the post to which the stretcher is attached, securely holding the wire for this purpose.

By the particular construction of the clamps they permit the device to be conveniently used to tighten or stretch barbwires, the oppositely-beveled surfaces of the members of the clamps providing for this.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters between which is pivoted a double cam; together with a block in sliding engagement with the bar and provided with stationary members between which is pivoted a double cam, and a lever pivoted to the bar and connected to the sliding block, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. A clamp for wire-fence tighteners comprising stationary members7 and a double cam pivoted between said members to engage the same when swung in opposite directions, Vthe cam being projected on both sides of its pivot to provide the portion by which it can be operated, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a wire-fence tightener, the combination with the bar 1 having projecting members 3, hooks 14 and 15 pivoted to opposite ends of the bar and adapted to engage the post when the members 3 are in contact with the same, a clamp rigidly secured to the bar, a second clamp in sliding engagement with said bar, and a lever pivoted to the bar and connected to the sliding clamp, the parts being constructed and organized, substantially as shown and for 4the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS F. SHARPE.

lVitnesses:

M. Il. WoLrE, W. R. SHARPE. 

